Palace stun Chelsea as slick City set club record
AFP
AFP, LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho suffered only his second Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge as Crystal Palace clinched a shock 2-1 win over the spluttering champions on Saturday. Mourinho was taking charge of his 100th home fixture in Englands top-flight, but Palace ensured that milestone wont be remembered with any fondness by the Portuguese coach as they inflicted his first league loss on home soil since Sunderlands victory in April 2014.
It was the latest setback for Mourinhos side, winners only once in their first four matches and already languishing eight points behind leaders Manchester City, who extended the last 100 percent record in the top tier with a 2-0 win against Watford at Eastlands. Just seconds after clearing a Gary Cahill header off the line, Mali forward Bakary Sako struck at the other end, sweeping high into the net from Yannick Bolasies cross to give Palace a 65th minute lead.
Colombias Radamel Falcao looked to have rescued a point for Chelsea when the on-loan Monaco striker headed in a Pedro Rodriguez cross for his first goal for the Blues in the 79th minute. However, parity was short-lived as defender Joel Ward headed home from Sakos cross in the 81st minute to give second placed Palace their first win at the Bridge since 1982. At Eastlands, Raheem Sterlings first goal for City since his 49 million ($75.4 million, 67.4 million euros) pre-season switch from Liverpool broke Watfords stubborn resistance in the 47th minute as the England winger stabbed in Bacary Sagnas cross.
Fernandinho bagged Citys second goal in the 56th minute, the Brazilian lashing home after a one-two with David Silva to seal a club record 10th successive league win dating back to last season. Liverpool were beaten for the first time this season as West Hams 3-0 victory gave the east Londoners their first league triumph at Anfield since 1963.
In the third minute, Martin Skrtels poor headed clearance fell at the feet of Aaron Cresswell and his low cross was prodded in by Manuel Lanzini, a 22-year-old Argentine midfielder on loan from Al Jazira. Slaven Bilics team doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Mark Noble side-footed home after Reds defender Dejan Lovren carelessly allowed Lanzini to seize possession. Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho was sent off for his second booking in the 56th minute.
Referee Kevin Friend also sent off Noble in the closing stages, but there was still time for Diafra Sakho to complete Liverpools embarrassment with a third goal in stoppage-time. Arsenal clinched their second league win of the season as Fabricio Coloccinis own goal gifted the Gunners a scrappy 1-0 success at 10-man Newcastle. The turning point came in the 16th minute when referee Andre Marriner sent off Aleksandar Mitrovic after the Newcastle striker needlessly stamped on Francis Coquelins ankle as he stretched in a failed attempt to reach a loose ball.
Wengers team eventually took advantage of their numerical superiority in the 52nd minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains low drive beat goalkeeper Tim Krul via a deflection off Coloccini. Leicester left it late to rescue a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth thanks to Jamie Vardys 86th minute penalty after the hosts went in front through striker Callum Wilsons acrobatic overhead kick.
